1. It is not the manner of the _Iewes_ by their law to curse other gods by name, though they be of the _Gentiles_. So in _Exod._ cap. 22.27. _Thou shalt not revile the Gods._ Heb. ‏אלהום‎, that is _Gods_, or God, as _Philo Iudæus in libro de Monarchiâ_, doth interpret, and not Judges, as _Onkelus_ and _Ionathan_ translate in their _Chald._ Paraphr. Where _Philo_ addes this reason, which is, lest they hearing their own Gods blasphemed, should in a revengefull way of retaliation, blaspheme the true God of Israel. And we have examples enough, how the idolatrous heathen used to revile, and defame each others Gods, both in _Cicero_, and _Iuvenal_. And in that sense _Flavius Josephus_ in his book written against _Apion_, saith these words: “As it is our practise to observe our own, and not to accuse, or revile others; so neither may we deride, or blaspheme those, which others account to be Gods. Our Law-giver plainly forbad us that, by reason of that compellation, Gods.” According to this, by our own religion, we dare not do that which _Buxtorsius_ chargeth us with. And upon this account the Talmudists tell us, that we ought to honour, and reverence, not onely the Kings of Israel, but all kings, princes, and governours, in generall, forasmuch as the holy Scripture gives them the stile of gods, in respect of the dignity of their office. 2. The time wherein these, as also the other prayers were composed, and ordered, was in the dayes of _Ezras_, who, with 120 men, amongst whom were three Prophets, _Haggai_, _Zechary_, _Malachy_, composed them, as we have it in the _Talmud_. Wherefore he cannot say, that there is any thing intended against honour, or reverence of Christ, who was not born till many yeares after. Moreover, the _Iewes_, since that calumny was first raised, (though that was spoken of the Gentiles, and their vain gods, _humbling themselves to things of no worth, and vanity_) because they desire to decline, and avoid the least occasion of scandall, and offence, have left off to print that line, and do not in some books print any part thereof. As _John Hoornbeek_ also witnesses, in his fore-mentioned _Prolegomena_, and _William Dorstius_, in his observations upon _R. David Gawz_, p. 269. and _Buxtorf_ in his book of _Abbreviatures_. And perhaps it will be worthy our observation, that all these three witnesses say, that it was first made known to them, by one _Antonius Margarita_, who was a _Iew_, converted to the Christian faith. That this part of the prayer was intended _Contra idola Papatus_, against the _Popish idols_, which they therefore, as by a necessary consequence, interpret, as against _Christ_; but how justly, let the unprejudiced and unbiased reader judge.